Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A46—BRUSHWARE
  • A46B—BRUSHES
  • A46B5/00—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A46—BRUSHWARE
  • A46B—BRUSHES
  • A46B15/00—Other brushes; Brushes with additional arrangements
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A46—BRUSHWARE
  • A46B—BRUSHES
  • A46B15/00—Other brushes; Brushes with additional arrangements
  • A46B15/0002—Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
  • A46B15/0004—Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process with a controlling means
  • A46B15/001—Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process with a controlling means with means indicating the remaining useful life of brush
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A46—BRUSHWARE
  • A46B—BRUSHES
  • A46B15/00—Other brushes; Brushes with additional arrangements
  • A46B15/0085—Brushes provided with an identification, marking device or design
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A46—BRUSHWARE
  • A46B—BRUSHES
  • A46B2200/00—Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
  • A46B2200/10—For human or animal care
  • A46B2200/1066—Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
  • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
  • B29L2031/42—Brushes
  • B29L2031/425—Toothbrush

Definitions

• the invention relates to a toothbrush according to the preamble of claim 1.
• a toothbrush which has a display element in its handle with which, for. B. the month can be set in which the toothbrush has been bought or is to be replaced. Although this display element can be locked, it can also be selected accidentally, so that the information once set may be falsified. In addition, dirt can accumulate in the gap between the display element and the handle of the toothbrush, which is not only unsightly, but also not hygienically perfect.
• a toothbrush is known from European patent application EP 0 199 158 A2, which has a battery-operated device in the handle for emitting acoustic or visual signals. As soon as the toothbrush is taken in hand, this device is switched on inductively or capacitively, so that during brushing for a period of z. B.
• the invention has for its object to provide a toothbrush of conventional types that can be easily manufactured and in which the user is immediately informed of the expiry of the maximum allowable use time, so that the toothbrush must be replaced.
• This object is achieved according to the invention by the features specified in the characterizing part of patent claim 1.
• the toothbrush is made of a material or provided with a material that gradually decomposes, dissolves or changes in color during use.
• This process can be done by air, water or light.
• plastics are known for this purpose, such. B. polymers with acid or amine groups, for. B. a polymer with methacrylic acid as a copolymer. Such plastics are soluble in water or in slightly acidic or basic liquids. Non-lightfast dyes and non-lightfast colored plastics are suitable for a color change.
• the transition region between the bristle carrier and the handle is preferably at least partially made of a plastic that decomposes or dissolves through water. Since this transition area regularly comes into contact with water when brushing teeth, the material dissolves here, so that after some time the bristle holder is no longer stable, but is only soft and therefore unsuitable for cleaning with the handle.
• Another possibility is e.g. B. in providing the bristle carrier and / or the stem with a display panel which is covered with a decomposing or dissolving material. After the possible period of use of the toothbrush has expired, this has changed Material, e.g. B. the plastic mentioned, dissolved, so that the display panel is visible and effectively shows the expiry of the usage time.
• the entire toothbrush body or only a display field can be made of a material that gradually changes in color.
• Figures 1 and 2 each a toothbrush according to the invention before use and after the maximum useful life.
• the transition area 3 between the handle 2 and bristle carrier 4 is made of a water-soluble plastic, for. B. a polymer with acrylic acid as a copolymer. This comes when you brush your teeth Transition area in contact with water, which gradually dissolves and softens. The length of time until the plastic softens or dissolves can be influenced by appropriate composition of the material. If the transition area 3 reaches a thickness which is no longer sufficient for a stable connection between the handle 2 and the bristle holder, the toothbrush can no longer be used. This state is shown in Fig. 2.
• the plastic used does not break through brittleness, which could result in injuries when brushing teeth, but that it gradually dissolves or softens to the extent that the bristle holder bends when brushing teeth and a corresponding pressure is no longer applied to the teeth can.
• FIG. 3 shows a toothbrush 1 with a handle 2, a transition region 3 ′ which is again slightly bent and a bristle carrier 4 for bristles 5.
• the transition region 3 'initially has, as shown in FIG. 4, a slightly lowered display field 6, which is then covered with a water-soluble plastic 7. During the use of the toothbrush, this plastic is gradually dissolved by the water, so that. Display field 6 is exposed. As a result, a font or other warning symbols are visible on the display panel, which remind the user to replace the toothbrush.
• the toothbrush 1 in turn has a handle 2, a bent transition area 3 11 and a bristle holder 4 for bristles 5.
• the kinked transition area 3 1 is out made of a material whose color changes over time, e.g. B. changes by light or moisture contains z.
• B. non-lightfast dyes that change their color after a certain time, which is indicated by the cross hatching in Fig. 6. This also indicates to the user that the toothbrush can no longer be used and that a new one is used.
• the specification and arrangement of the dissolving, decomposing or discoloring plastic materials is exemplary.
• the invention can also be used not only in connection with manual toothbrushes, but also with brush attachments suitable for electric toothbrushes.

Landscapes

• Brushes (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=6365825

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (7)

Families Citing this family (4)

Citations (3)

Family Cites Families (4)

• 1988
  • 1988-10-25 DE DE3836232A patent/DE3836232C1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 1989
  • 1989-10-24 JP JP1510961A patent/JPH04500324A/ja active Pending
  • 1989-10-24 CA CA002001331A patent/CA2001331A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1989-10-24 EP EP89119774A patent/EP0366100A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 1989-10-24 WO PCT/DE1989/000683 patent/WO1990004342A1/de unknown
  • 1989-10-24 AU AU44261/89A patent/AU614884B2/en not_active Ceased
• 1990
  • 1990-06-25 KR KR1019900701351A patent/KR900701197A/ko not_active Withdrawn

Patent Citations (3)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events